Report a Theft in Italian: Saying 'My Wallet Was Stolen' and Filing a Police Report
Learn to report a theft in Italian: say 'Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio,' describe what happened, and file a denuncia at the police station.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
If your wallet, phone, or bag is stolen in Italy, you will need to file a denuncia (official report) at the polizia or carabinieri. This lesson teaches you the exact phrases to state what was stolen, where and when it happened, and how to ask for a copy of the report for your insurance. You will practise the key sentence 'Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio' and learn how Italian theft reports actually work.
By the end, you can…
- say that my wallet, phone, or bag was stolen using 'Mi hanno rubato...'
- describe where and when the theft happened in a police station
- ask to file a denuncia and request a copy for insurance
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio.
My wallet was stolen.
mee AHN-noh roo-BAH-toh eel por-tah-FOH-lyoh
The standard way to report a stolen wallet. Literally 'they stole the wallet from me.' Use rubato for a single stolen item.
Vorrei fare una denuncia.
I would like to file a report.
vor-RAY FAH-ray OO-nah day-NOON-chah
Say this at the police station counter. Denuncia is the official report for theft. Vorrei is the polite conditional of volere.
Mi hanno rubato la borsa in metro.
My bag was stolen on the metro.
mee AHN-noh roo-BAH-toh lah BOR-sah een MAY-troh
Use in metro for 'on the metro.' For a tram say sul tram; for a bus say sull'autobus.
Non me ne sono accorto subito.
I didn't notice right away.
non may nay SOH-noh ah-KOR-toh SOO-bee-toh
Useful when police ask why you are reporting late. Accorto agrees with the speaker: accorta if you are female.
Posso avere una copia della denuncia?
Can I have a copy of the report?
POS-soh ah-VAY-ray OO-nah KOH-pyah DEL-lah day-NOON-chah
Ask this for insurance or to replace documents. The copy is called a copia della denuncia or ricevuta.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'Mi hanno rubato + article + object' is the natural way to say something was stolen from you. The verb rubare takes the indirect object mi (to me), not a possessive: Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio (My wallet was stolen), Mi hanno rubato il telefono (My phone was stolen), Mi hanno rubato i documenti (My documents were stolen). Keep the definite article (il, la, i, le) before the object, not a possessive like mio. For a single item you can also say Ho subito il furto del portafoglio, but it sounds more formal.
When to use it
Use these phrases at the questura (police headquarters) or a carabinieri station. Start with Vorrei fare una denuncia, then give details: Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio in Piazza Duomo, verso le tre. If you saw nothing, say Non ho visto nessuno. If you need the report for insurance, add Mi serve per l'assicurazione. Police may ask Dove e quando è successo? (Where and when did it happen?) and Può descrivere l'oggetto? (Can you describe the object?). Answer with era (it was) for description: Era un portafoglio nero di pelle.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, vorrei fare una denuncia. Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio.
Good morning, I would like to file a report. My wallet was stolen.bwohn-JOR-noh vor-RAY FAH-ray OO-nah day-NOON-chah mee AHN-noh roo-BAH-toh eel por-tah-FOH-lyohMi dispiace. Dove e quando è successo?
I'm sorry. Where and when did it happen?mee dee-SPYAH-chay DOH-vay ay KWAHN-doh ay soot-CHES-sohIn metro, verso le tre. Non me ne sono accorto subito.
On the metro, around three o'clock. I didn't notice right away.een MAY-troh VER-soh lay tray non may nay SOH-noh ah-KOR-toh SOO-bee-tohVa bene. Le serve una copia della denuncia per l'assicurazione?
All right. Do you need a copy of the report for insurance?vah BAY-nay lay SER-vay OO-nah KOH-pyah DEL-lah day-NOON-chah pair las-see-koo-rah-TSYOH-nayA little context goes a long way
In Italy, theft reports are usually filed with the Polizia di Stato or Carabinieri; for minor thefts you can also use the online portal for some comuni, but a station visit is standard. Bring your passport or ID. You do not need to know the exact time, but give a realistic window. The word denuncia is used for theft; querela is for offences you choose to prosecute. Keep the ricevuta (receipt) of your report for insurance claims.
One thing to watch for
Il mio portafoglio è stato rubato.
Try this instead: This passive sentence is grammatically possible but sounds translated and less natural in speech. Italians normally say Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio, using the active verb with mi. Use the passive only in very formal writing: Il portafoglio è stato rubato da ignoti.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'My phone was stolen' in natural Italian?
Show a sample answer
Mi hanno rubato il telefono.
Uses the same pattern mi hanno rubato + definite article + object. Mi hanno rubato il cellulare is also correct and common.
2You are at the police station and want to file a report. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Vorrei fare una denuncia.
Vorrei is the polite conditional and works in any formal situation. Devo fare una denuncia is also acceptable but more direct.
3The officer asks 'Dove e quando è successo?' Give a full answer about a theft on a bus at 8 p.m.
Show a sample answer
Sull'autobus, verso le otto di sera.
Sull'autobus means 'on the bus' and verso le otto di sera gives an approximate time. Alle otto di sera is also valid if you know the exact time.
Memorise Mi hanno rubato + article + object for any stolen item, and open with Vorrei fare una denuncia at the police station. Ask for a copia della denuncia if you need it for insurance.
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